LAAD highlights debate on defence and public security

The eighth edition of Latin America’s leading trade show for the sector takes place on April 12-15, 2011, at Riocentro. In the spotlight will be the security integration challenges for the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games.

São Paulo, February 15, 2011 – LAAD Defence & Security 2011, Latin America’s leading trade exhibition for the sector, takes place on April 12-15 at Riocentro in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Consolidated as the principal debating forum and showcase for new defence technologies in Latin America, the eighth edition of LAAD will devote more space to public security, a topic that is increasingly considered an integral part of the debate on national security, particularly in light of the preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games, both of which will be held in Brazil.

Every two years LAAD brings together authorities and major players in the Brazilian and global defence industry. Senior officers in the navies, armies and air forces of Latin American countries as well as other continents gather there as guests of the Official Delegation Programme. Given the growing importance of security, this year’s edition will be attended by state secretaries of public security, commanding officers of military police forces, heads of civilian police forces, commanders of municipal guard forces, and law enforcement authorities from other countries across Latin America.

LAAD Defence & Security 2011 features companies that specialize in the supply of equipment and services for armed forces, police forces, special forces, security services, consultants, and government agencies. The eighth edition of the show will occupy pavilions 3 and 4 at Riocentro and its external static display area, totalling 47,000 square metres of exhibition space.

The invitation-only event highlights the technical and scientific production and technological capabilities of the defence and security industries, which are of high strategic value to all nations. The exhibitors include the leading developers of next-generation technology in equipment, systems, protection devices, information technology, armoured products, simulators, military aircraft, vehicles and naval vessels, communications systems, and integrated command and control systems.

The exhibition will have two new sections in this edition: the Space Zone, which will focus on the space industry and government agencies for the sector; and an area dedicated to Training & Simulation.

Promoted and organised by Clarion Events, LAAD has institutional support from the Brazilian Ministry of Defence and the three Armed Forces of Brazil, as well as support from the Brazilian Defence Materials Industry Association (ABIMDE) and the Brazilian Aerospace Industry Association (AIAB). For the first time, the event will also have institutional support from the National College of State Secretaries of Public Security (CONSESP), the National Council of Commanders-in-Chief of Military Police & Firefighting Forces (CNCG-PM/CBM), the National Council of Heads of Civilian Police Forces (CONCPC) and the National Council of Municipal Guards (CNGM).

Sérgio Jardim, director-general of Clarion Events and show manager of LAAD, stresses that the increased amount of space devoted to public security at the event reflects a global trend. “Integration between armed forces and security forces is a recurring theme because of ongoing projects in border security, wealth protection and organisation of high-visibility events, such as the World Cup and Olympics,” he says.

He draws attention to the fact that this is the second edition of the event since the National Defence Policy was issued. “This is a time at which agreements and acquisition programmes are in progress. Vendors from several countries are looking for business opportunities in Brazil,” he says.

Exhibition – Some 550 companies from over 35 countries will participate in the exhibition. Countries exhibiting for the first time include China, Finland, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Slovakia and Taiwan, alongside traditional exhibitors such as the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, South Africa, Poland, Sweden, Netherlands, Bosnia, Belgium, Serbia, Israel, Russia, India, Turkey, Austria, South Korea, Bulgaria and Ukraine. Most of these countries have national pavilions at LAAD.

LAAD Defence & Security 2011 targets highly qualified trade visitors, expected to reach over 20,000 this year. Official delegations will be welcomed from more than 55 countries.

“LAAD sets out to present technological innovations and give exhibitors an ideal venue for networking and developing business opportunities in a highly specialised environment. The Official Delegation Programme brings to the four-day event defence ministers, force commanders and ranking officers from four continents, » says Jardim.

Another Clarion initiative designed to enhance the quality of attendees still further is the Guest Programme, which will bring to the event experts in specification processes and defence and security equipment from Brazil and other Latin American countries.

Seminars – LAAD’s highlights in 2011 include a seminar programme developed in response to market requirements, offering high-quality content for both the defence and security segments. The seminar presentations will take place in parallel with the exhibition, featuring authorities, experts and guest speakers in discussions of the impact of technological evolution and the latest innovations in products, services and solutions.

Focusing on “Technology: solutions, innovations and technological evolution”, the Third Defence Seminar includes a day dedicated to the space segment, whose importance to national security will be debated.

The main novelty in this edition is the First Security Seminar, which focuses on “Technology: modernisation, innovation and intelligence in law enforcement and public security”. Among other topics, the seminar will address security issues relating to the world sports events Brazil is due to host in the current decade. A special ITEC Brazil Training & Simulation session, for example, will have a module on anti-terrorism training.